Bradford Council budget: Tax rise and services reduce

Tuesday, 27 November 2018 16:00

Bradford Council has released its latest draft budget proposals.

The council says the proposals are an update on the four-year budget plan agreed in February 2017 “to reflect changes in circumstances such as funding changes, rising costs and increased pressures on social care”.

It is planned that over 340 jobs will be lost, there will be cuts to most departments except for Children’s and Adult’s Services and Council Tax will rise by 2.99% for the next two years.

Despite all of these measures the council expects to be left with a “funding gap” of £28.8 million by the end of 2021.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “It is a dereliction of duty of Government not to properly fund local public services. The cuts on Local Government have been huge, far greater than other Government departments and damaging to those people who rely on public services the most.

“We are not alone in this. Local Councils up and down the country are crying out for better funding for services. Adults Social Care and Children’s Social Care now account for over 50% of our spending and the demand is increasing all the time. Government cannot ignore this issue.

“In spite of the many constraints caused by the cuts, our staff continue to deliver high-quality public services. They deserve praise for their continued commitment in what are trying circumstances.”

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